Cold fogger

ABSTRACT

A fogger comprises a blower tube having a passageway, a fan configured to rotate to generate an airflow through the passageway, a reservoir configured to hold a volume of fluid and a volume of air, an air pump in fluid communication with the fluid in the reservoir, a motor configured to drive the fan and the air pump, an atomizing valve, a dispensing line fluidly coupling the atomizing valve to the passageway, a liquid tube fluidly coupling the fluid in the reservoir to the atomizing valve, and an air escape line fluidly coupling the air in the reservoir to the atomizing valve. In response to the air pump providing a stream of compressed air to the reservoir, air moves through the air escape line from the reservoir to the atomizing valve, such that fluid is drawn through the liquid tube and into the atomizing valve to be atomized.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/589,153 filed on Nov. 21, 2017, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cold foggers, and more particularly to coldfoggers having two stages of atomization during the fog forming process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foggers and misters are commonly used to disperse chemicals in vapor,mist or fog form. Foggers can be used to terminate pest problems or toeliminate odors. In many instances, the foggers produce a dense cloud offog that penetrates difficult to reach areas such as shrubbery, grass,tree tops, furniture, attics, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a fogger comprising ablower tube having a passageway, a fan configured to rotate to generatean airflow through the passageway, a reservoir configured to hold avolume of fluid and a volume of air, an air pump in fluid communicationwith the fluid in the reservoir, a motor configured to drive the fan andthe air pump, an atomizing valve, a dispensing line fluidly coupling theatomizing valve to the passageway, a liquid tube fluidly coupling thefluid in the reservoir to the atomizing valve, and an air escape linefluidly coupling the air in the reservoir to the atomizing valve. Inresponse to the air pump providing a stream of compressed air to thereservoir, air moves through the air escape line from the reservoir tothe atomizing valve, such that fluid is drawn through the liquid tubeand into the atomizing valve to be atomized.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a fogger comprising ablower tube having a passageway, a fan configured to rotate to generatean airflow through the passageway, a first motor configured to driverotation of the fan, a reservoir configured to hold a fluid, an air pumpin fluid communication with the reservoir, a tube in fluid communicationwith and extending between the reservoir and the passageway, and asecond motor configured to drive the air pump.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a foggercomprising a blower system including a fan and a blower tube having apassageway. The fan is configured to rotate to generate an airflowthrough the passageway. The fogger also comprises a mist systemincluding a reservoir configured to hold a fluid, an air pump in fluidcommunication with the reservoir, and a tube in fluid communication withand extending between both the reservoir and the passageway. The foggeralso comprises a motor configured to drive rotation of the fan andconfigured to drive a pump unit of the air pump.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cold fogger according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a blower system and a mist system of thecold fogger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mist system of the cold fogger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a cold fogger.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of a cold fogger.

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate another embodiment of a cold fogger.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cold fogger according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cold fogger of FIG. 7, with a blowertube and a reservoir shown in phantom lines.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of embodiment and the arrangement of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or ofbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a cold fogger 10 according to one embodiment of theinvention. The fogger 10 includes a housing 14, a blower system 18supported within the housing 14, a mist system 22 in fluid communicationwith the blower system 18, and a power source or battery pack 54 toprovide energy to the blower system 18 and the mist system 22. Duringuse, the mist system 22 produces a dense cloud of fog, vapor, spray ormist 30 of a preselected fluid 34 that is injected into a first airflow38 (FIG. 2) of the blower system 18. The blower system 18, in turn, isconfigured to propel the mist 30 toward a target area via an exhaustoutlet 74 (described below). Although the illustrated fogger 10 iselectrically powered by the battery pack 54 (e.g., DC power), inalternative embodiments, the fogger 10 may be AC powered (e.g., pluggedinto a standard home electrical socket), gas-powered (e.g., by one ormore internal combustion engines), and the like.

The housing 14 of the fogger 10 includes an exterior shell or wall 42 atleast partially enclosing a storage volume 46 therein. In theillustrated embodiments, the shell 42, forms one or more handle portions50 that the user may grasp during use to manipulate the orientation andposition of the fogger 10. The housing 14 also includes a batteryterminal (not shown) for selectively supporting and electricallycoupling with the battery pack 54.

The housing 14 also includes a blower tube 58 at least partiallysupported by the housing 14. The tube 58 is substantially cylindrical inshape being formed from a substantially annular outer wall 62 thatdefines a passageway 66 therethrough. The blower tube 58 also includesan inlet 70 (FIG. 2) through which ambient air is drawn into thepassageway 66 of the blower tube 58, and the exhaust outlet 74 oppositethe inlet 70 through which a combination of the first airflow 38 and themist 30 may be discharged during operation. In some embodiments, theinlets 70 are formed in the housing 14 of the fogger 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the blower tube 58 is substantiallyfrusto-conical in shape reducing in diameter as it extends outwardlyfrom the housing 14 to accelerate the flow of air through the exhaustoutlet 74.

The blower system 18 of the fogger 10 includes a fan head 78 positionedwithin the passageway 66 of the blower tube 58, and a first motor 82configured to rotate the fan head 78 with respect to the blower tube 58.During use, rotating the fan head 78 with respect to the blower tube 58produces the first airflow 38 through the passageway 66. Morespecifically, the rotation of the fan head 78 draws ambient air into theinlet 70 where the air is accelerated by the fan head 78 and expelledthrough the exhaust outlet 74.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the mist system 22 of the cold fogger 10includes a reservoir 86, an air pump 92 in fluid communication with thereservoir 86, and a tube 96 in fluid communication with and extendingbetween both the reservoir 86 and the passageway 66. During use, themist system 22 is configured to atomize the fluid 34 contained in thereservoir 66 and mix the atomized fluid 34 with a compressed air sourceto produce a dense mist 30. The resulting mist 30 is then directed intothe passageway 66 of the blower tube 58 for subsequent distribution. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the mist system 22 is configured to atomizethe fluid 34 in two separate stages.

The reservoir 86 of the mist system 22 includes a shell or set of outerwalls 100 enclosing and defining a reservoir volume 104 therein. In theillustrated embodiment, the reservoir 86 is air-tight such that it canstore the desired volume of fluid 34 therein and be pressurized via airfrom the air pump 92 (described below). Although not shown, thereservoir 86 may also include a filler neck and cap to allow the user topour the desired fluid 34 into the reservoir volume 104. The reservoirmay also include a dip stick or other indicator providing informationregarding the level of fluid contained within the reservoir volume 34.

The air pump 92 of the mist system 22 includes a pump unit 108 in fluidcommunication with the reservoir volume 104, and a second motor 112configured to drive the pump unit 108 independently of the first motor82 of the blower system 18. During use, operation of the second motor112 causes the pump unit 108 to draw ambient air from the surroundingatmosphere and pump the air, under pressure, into the reservoir volume104. Generally speaking, the speed at which the motor 112 operatesdictates the rate at which air is pumped into the reservoir volume 104and, as a corollary, the resulting air pressure therein. As such, theair pressure within the reservoir volume 104 can be varied by changingthe operating speed of the motor 112. More specifically, operating themotor 112 at a first speed conveys a first flow rate of compressed airinto the reservoir volume 104, while operating the motor 112 at a secondspeed, less than the first speed, conveys a second flow rate ofcompressed air into the reservoir volume 104 less than the first flowrate.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pump unit 108 of the air pump 92 is apositive displacement reciprocating piston style pump. However, in otherembodiments, different pump styles may be used. In still otherembodiments, the fogger 10 may be operably coupled to an external sourceof compressed air (not shown).

Best illustrated in FIG. 2, the tube 96 of the fogger 10 issubstantially elongated in shape having a first end 116, a second end120 opposite the first end 116, and defining a channel 124 therethrough.The tube 96 also includes a fluid inlet 128, an outlet 132 downstream ofthe fluid inlet 128, and a compressed air inlet 136 positioned betweenthe fluid inlet 128 and the outlet 132.

The fluid inlet 128 of the tube 96 is positioned proximate the first end116 thereof and is in fluid communication with the reservoir volume 104.In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid inlet 128 is positionedproximate the bottom of the reservoir volume 104 and is configured to becompletely submerged within the fluid 34 contained therein. As such, thefluid inlet 128 is configured to draw the fluid 34 contained within thereservoir volume 104 into the channel 124 during use (see Flow A of FIG.2). Although not shown, the fluid inlet 128 may include a filter orscreen to restrict the passage of any debris or contaminants into thechannel 124.

The compressed air inlet 136 of the tube 96 is in fluid communicationwith the channel 124 and positioned downstream of the fluid inlet 128.When assembled, the compressed air inlet 136 is positioned proximate thetop of the reservoir volume 104 and is configured to be positioned abovethe surface level of the fluid 34 contained therein. As such, thecompressed air inlet 136 allows compressed air contained within thereservoir volume 104 to flow into the channel 124 and create a lowpressure region 140 therein via a venturi effect (see Flow B of FIG. 2).Although not shown, the compressed air inlet 136 may also include one ormore baffles or guards to limit the amount of fluid 34 that passesthrough the compressed air inlet 136 as it sloshes around within thereservoir volume 104 during use. In the illustrated embodiment, thecompressed air inlet 136 includes a single aperture that issubstantially circular in shape. However, in other embodiments, fewer ormore apertures may be present, each of which may be any size and orshape as necessary to provide the desired flow characteristics.

The outlet 132 of the tube 96 is positioned proximate the second end 120thereof and is positioned within the passageway 66 of the blower tube58. The outlet 132 includes a first orifice sized such that when apressurized air and liquid mixture passes through the outlet 132 (seeFlow C of FIG. 2) the blowout velocity atomizes the liquid passingtherethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 132 is a single,circular aperture being approximately 20 microns in diameter. However,in other embodiments fewer or more apertures may be present and theoutlet 132 may include any shape and/or size that produces the desiredatomization.

The tube 96 also includes a valve 144. The valve 144 is in fluidcommunication with the channel 124 and positioned between the fluidinlet 128 and the compressed air inlet 136. During use, the valve 144selectively restricts the flow of fluid 34 between the fluid inlet 128and the compressed air inlet 136. As such, adjusting the valve 144allows the user to change the level or restriction placed on the fluid34 flowing through the channel 124 (see Flow A), and as a corollary, thefluid to air ratio of the resulting mist 30 produced within the tube 96.More specifically, the greater the restriction to Flow A provided by thevalve 144, the less fluid 34 can flow through the channel 124 and theleaner the resulting mist 30. In contrast, lessening the restriction toFlow A allows more fluid 34 to flow through the channel 124 and resultsin a richer mist 30.

During use, the tube 96 receives fluid 34 and compressed air from thereservoir volume 104, atomizes the fluid in two separate stages toproduce a mist 30, and outputs the resulting mist 30 into the passageway66 of the blower tube 58 for subsequent dispersal. More specifically,the compressed air contained within the reservoir volume 104 flows intothe channel 124 via the compressed air inlet 136 and flows toward thesecond end 120 of the tube 96 as a result of the air pressuredifferential between the reservoir volume 104 and the passageway 66 (seeFlow B). As a result of this airflow, a low pressure region 140 isproduced within the channel 124 between the compressed air inlet 136 andthe fluid inlet 128 due to a venturi effect. The low pressure region140, in turn, draws fluid into the channel 124 via the fluid inlet 128and toward the compressed air inlet 136 (see Flow A). Together, theinteraction between the two flows (Flow A and Flow B) causes the fluid34 within the channel 124 to undergo a first atomization stage whilealso mixing the two flows together to form a combined Flow C (FIG. 2).

Furthermore, the valve 144 may be adjusted during operation of thefogger 10 to modify the level of resistance placed on Flow A. Asdescribed above, such changes are used to modify the resulting air tofluid ratio of the combined Flow C. Furthermore, the valve 144 is usedto compensate for changes in the viscosity of the liquid 34 or changesin the air pressure of the reservoir volume 104.

Once mixed, Flow C continues along the channel 124 and through theoutlet 132. As described above, passage of the combined Flow C throughthe outlet 132 causes the once atomized fluid 34 of Flow C to be atomizea second time. This second atomization produces the finished mist 30which is directed into the passageway 66 for subsequent dispersal.

Illustrated in FIG. 1, the fogger 10 also includes a mist control switch148 and a blower control switch 152. Together, the switches (148, 152)provide two modes of operation for the fogger 10. More specifically, thefogger 10 is operable in a “forced air mode,” where the blower system 18and the mist system 22 are both operating, causing the mist 30 producedby the mist system 22 to be actively propelled from the exhaust outlet74 by the blower system 18 (e.g., via the first airflow 38).Furthermore, the fogger 10 is operable in an “ambient air mode,” wherethe mist system 22 is active but the blower system 18 is not active sothat the mist 30 produced by the mist system 22 is not activelypropelled from the exhaust outlet 74 by the blower system 18 (e.g., thefirst airflow 38 is not present).

In the illustrated embodiment, the mist control switch 148 is an on/offswitch allowing the user to selectively provide electrical power to theair pump 92. During use, the mist control switch 148 is adjustablebetween an on position, where the second motor 112 is in electricalcommunication with the power source, and a second position, where thesecond motor 112 is not in electrical communication with the powersource. While the illustrated embodiment includes an on/off switch thatprovides only one operating speed for the motor 112 (and therefore onlyone output value for the pump unit 108); it is to be understood that inother embodiments a variable speed switch may be used to allow the userto adjust the volume of air being pumped into the reservoir volume 104by the air pump 92.

In the illustrated embodiment, the blower control switch 152 is avariable speed trigger configured to provide a continuously variablelevel of electrical power to the first motor 82 independent of theoperation of the air pump 92. As such, the user is able to vary therotational speed of the fan head 78 within the blower tube 58, and as acorollary, the speed of the first airflow 38.

To operate the fogger 10, the user first fills the reservoir volume 104with the desired liquid or chemical 34. After sealing the reservoir, theuser then manipulates the mist control switch 148 from the offconfiguration to the on configuration. By doing so, the user providespower to the air pump 92, which begins pumping pressurized air into thereservoir volume 104 increasing the air pressure therein. As thepressure differential between the reservoir volume 104 and thepassageway 66 increases, the pressurized air within the reservoir volume104 begins flowing into the channel 124 via the compressed air inlet 136of the tube 96. As described above, the flow of air through thecompressed air inlet 136 draws the fluid 34 into the channel 124 via thefluid inlet 128 which causes the mist system 22 to begin dispensing mist30 into the passageway 66 via the outlet 132.

If the user wishes to operate the fogger 10 in the “ambient air mode,”the user may remain in this configuration permitting the mist 30 tonaturally flow along the passageway 66 and out through the exhaustoutlet 74. However, if the user wishes to operate the fogger 10 in the“forced air mode,” the user may depress the blower control switch 152 toprovide electrical power to the blower system 18.

Once the blower control switch 152 is depressed, the first electricalmotor 82 begins to rotate the fan head 78 with respect to the blowertube 58 producing the first airflow 38. The first airflow 38, in turn,interacts with the mist 30 being dispensed from the mist system 22 toactively propel the mist 30 from the exhaust outlet 74. Duringoperation, the user is able to vary the speed of the first airflow 38(and therefore the speed at which the mist 30 is propelled from theexhaust outlet 74) by varying the position of the blower control switch152. Furthermore, the user can return to “ambient air mode” by releasingthe blower control switch 152 completely.

Once the user is completed his or her task, the user may then return themist control switch 148 to the off configuration, causing the air pump92 to cease operation. Once the pump 92 is turned off, the air pressurewithin the reservoir volume 104 returns to equilibrium with thepassageway 66 causing the mist system 22 to no longer produce any mist30.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the cold fogger 1010. The coldfogger 1010 is substantially similar to and operates in much the samemanner as the cold fogger 10, described above. As such, only thedifferences between the two designs will be described herein. The coldfogger 1010 includes a combined blower system 1018 and mist system 1022driven by a single motor 1200. More specifically, the single motor 1200directly drives both the fan head 1078 and the air pump 1092. As such,operation of the blower system 1018 and mist system 1022 are linked suchthat both operate together allowing only for a “forced air mode” ofoperation. Furthermore, only a single mist switch 1204 is present whichselectively provides electrical power to the single motor 1200 which, inturn, drives both systems 1018, 1022 together.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the cold fogger 2010. The coldfogger 2010 is substantially similar to and operates in much the samemanner as the cold fogger 10, described above. As such, only thedifferences between the two designs will be described herein. The coldfogger 2010 does not include a blower system. More specifically, thefogger 2010 only includes a single motor 2200 driving the air pump 2092of the mist system 2022. Therefore, the fogger 2010 is only operable inthe “ambient air mode” of operation (described above). Furthermore, thefogger 2010 only includes a single mist switch 2204 to drive the mistsystem 2022.

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate another embodiment of the cold fogger 3010.The cold fogger 3010 is substantially similar to and operates in muchthe same manner as the cold fogger 10, described above. As such, onlythe differences between the two designs will be described herein. Thecold fogger 3010 includes a mist system 3022 with a tube 3096 havingaxially spaced compressed air inlets 3136 a, 3136 b, 3136 c. Each inlet3136 a, 3136 b, 3136 c is positioned proximate the top of the reservoirvolume 3104 and configured to be above the surface level of the fluid3034 contained therein. As such, each compressed air inlet 3136 a, 3136b, 3136 c allows compressed air contained within the reservoir volume3104 to flow into the channel 3124 and create a low pressure region 3140therein via a venturi effect (Flow B′ of FIGS. 6a and 6b ). In theillustrated embodiment, each inlet 3136 a, 3136 b, 3136 c issubstantially circular in shape having a diameter of approximately 2 mm.However, in other embodiments, different sizes and shapes of inlets maybe present.

The cold fogger 3010 also includes a sleeve 3300 at least partiallyencompassing the tube 96 and axially slidable along the length thereofto selectively restrict access to one or more of the compressed airinlets 3136 a, 3136 b, 3136 c. More specifically, the sleeve 3300 isaxially movable with respect to the tube 3096 between a first position,where the sleeve 3300 does not restrict access to any of the compressedair inlet 3136 a, 3136 b, 3136 c (FIG. 6b ); a second position, wherethe sleeve 3300 restricts access to the first compressed air inlet 3136a (not shown); and a third position, where the sleeve 3300 restrictsaccess to the first and second compressed air inlets 3136 a, 3136 b(FIG. 6a ). The sleeve 3300 also includes a cable 3304 coupled theretoto allow the user to move the sleeve 3300 between the first, second, andthird positions while maintaining the air-tight integrity of thereservoir volume 3104. In other embodiments, other forms of sleeveactuation may be used.

During use, movement of the sleeve between the first, second, and thirdpositions allows the user to vary the volume of compressed air enteringthe channel 3124 of the tube 3096. Such changes allow the user tocompensate for changes in viscosity of the fluid 3034 contained withinthe reservoir volume 3104 and maintain a substantially constant fluid toair ratio in the resulting fog. For example, if a chemical has arelatively low viscosity is used, the user may bias the sleeve 3300 sothat fewer inlets 3136 are restricted (FIG. 6b ) allowing for more airto flow into the channel 3124. In contrast, if a chemical with arelatively high viscosity is used, the user may bias the sleeve 3300 sothat more inlets 3136 are restricted allowing less air to flow into thechannel 3124.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a cold fogger 4010according to one embodiment of the invention. The fogger 4010 includes ahousing 4014, a mist system 4022, a fan 4078, a motor 4082 to drive themist system 4022 and the fan 4078, and a battery pack 4026 to provideenergy to the motor 4082. The mist system 4022 is configured to producea cloud of fog, vapor, spray or mist of a preselected fluid 4036. Thefan 4078, in turn, is configured to propel the mist toward a target areavia an exhaust outlet 4074. Although the illustrated fogger 4010 iselectrically powered by the battery pack 4026 (e.g., DC power), inalternative embodiments, the fogger 4010 may be AC powered (e.g.,plugged into a standard home electrical socket), gas-powered (e.g., byone or more internal combustion engines), and the like. The housing 4014includes one or more handle portions 4050 that the user may grasp duringuse to manipulate the orientation and position of the fogger 4010.

The fogger 4010 also includes a fluid reservoir 4034 to hold the volumeof preselected fluid 4036 defining a fluid line 4038 above which existsa volume of air 4040. The fluid reservoir 4034 is coupled to the housing4014, but fluidly sealed off from the housing 4014. The reservoir 4034includes a selectively removable cap 4042 to allow the user to pour thedesired fluid into the reservoir 4034 and subsequently seal thereservoir 4034.

The housing 4014 also includes a blower tube 4058 at least partiallysupported by the housing 4014. The tube 4058 defines a passageway 4066therethrough. The exhaust outlet 4074 is at the end of the blower tube4058 providing an exit through which the mist may be discharged duringoperation. In the illustrated embodiment, the blower tube 4058 issubstantially frusto-conical in shape reducing in diameter as it extendsoutwardly from the housing 4014 to accelerate the flow of mist throughthe exhaust outlet 4074. The fan 4078 is positioned within thepassageway 4066 of the blower tube 4058.

As shown in FIG. 8, the mist system 4022 of the cold fogger 4010includes an air pump 4092 in the housing 4014, an air tube 4094 fluidlycoupling the air pump 4092 to the volume of fluid 4036 within thereservoir 4034, and a fluid tube 4096 having a first end 4098 in thevolume of fluid 4036 within the reservoir 4034 and extending to anatomizing valve 4100 within the housing 4014. The air pump 4092 isdriven by the motor 4082 and in the illustrated embodiment, the air pump4092 is a reciprocating piston pump. The mist system 4022 also includesan air escape line 4104 fluidly coupling the volume of air 4040 withinthe reservoir 4034 to the atomizing valve 4100. A dispensing line 4108extends from the atomizing valve 4100 and into the passageway 4066 ofthe tube 4058, where it terminates at an outlet 4032. The speed at whichthe motor 4082 operates dictates the rate at which air is pumped intothe reservoir volume 4034 and, as a corollary, the resulting airpressure therein. As such, the air pressure within the reservoir 4034can be varied by changing the operating speed of the motor 4082. Morespecifically, operating the motor 4082 at a first speed conveys a firstflow rate of compressed air into the reservoir 4034, while operating themotor 4082 at a second speed, less than the first speed, conveys asecond flow rate of compressed air into the reservoir 4034 less than thefirst flow rate.

During operation, an operator depresses a trigger 4112 on the handle4050 to activate the motor 4082. Thus, the motor 4082 begins rotatingthe fan 4078 and begins driving the air pump 4092, which causescompressed air to flow through the air tube 4094 from the air pump 4092and into the volume of fluid 4036 in the reservoir 4034. As the air inthe volume of air 4040 above the fluid line 4038 becomes pressurized,the air moves through the air escape line 4104 towards the atomizingvalve 4100 and through the dispensing line 4108, which is at lowerpressure than the reservoir 4034. The atomizing valve 4100 includes aventuri structure, such that the air moves through the atomizing valve4100 at high velocity, resulting in a reduction in pressure that causesthe fluid in the volume of fluid 1036 to be drawn up through the firstend 4098 of the fluid tube 4096 and to the atomizing valve 4100. As thefluid meets the high velocity air stream in the atomizing valve, thefluid is atomized, forming an atomized fluid flow that travels throughthe dispensing line 4108 and is dispensed from outlet 4032. In someembodiments, outlet 4032 can be configured to further atomize the fluidexiting the dispensing line 4104. The air flow generated by the fan 4078expels the atomized fluid or mist through the exhaust outlet 4074. Oncethe operator has finished the misting operation, the operator releasesthe trigger 4108, causing both the fan 4078 and the air pump 92 to ceaseoperation. Once the pump 92 is turned off, the air pressure within thereservoir 4034 returns to equilibrium.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fogger comprising: a blower tube having apassageway; a fan configured to rotate to generate an airflow throughthe passageway; a reservoir configured to hold a volume of fluid and avolume of air; an air pump in fluid communication with the fluid in thereservoir; a motor configured to drive the fan and the air pump; anatomizing valve; a dispensing line fluidly coupling the atomizing valveto the passageway; a liquid tube fluidly coupling the fluid in thereservoir to the atomizing valve; and an air escape line fluidlycoupling the air in the reservoir to the atomizing valve, wherein inresponse to the air pump providing a stream of compressed air to thereservoir, air moves through the air escape line from the reservoir tothe atomizing valve, such that fluid is drawn through the liquid tubeand into the atomizing valve to be atomized.
 2. The fogger of claim 1,wherein the reservoir includes a selectively removable cap.
 3. Thefogger of claim 1, wherein the air pump is a reciprocating piston pump.4. The fogger of claim 1, further comprising a battery to power themotor.
 5. The fogger of claim 1, further comprising an outlet on thedispensing line, the outlet configured to further atomize the fluidmoving out of the dispensing line.
 6. A fogger comprising: a blower tubehaving a passageway; a fan configured to rotate to generate an airflowthrough the passageway; a first motor configured to drive rotation ofthe fan; a reservoir configured to hold a fluid; an air pump in fluidcommunication with the reservoir; a tube in fluid communication with andextending between the reservoir and the passageway; and a second motorconfigured to drive the air pump.
 7. The fogger of claim 6, furthercomprising a battery to power the first and second motors.
 8. The foggerof claim 6, further comprising a valve in fluid communication with thetube and arranged in between a first end of the tube in the reservoirand a second end of the tube in the passageway, the valve configured toselectively restrict a fluid flow between the first and second ends. 9.The fogger of claim 6, wherein the reservoir is further configured tohold a volume of air above the fluid, and wherein the tube includes afirst end in the fluid in the reservoir, a second end in the passageway,and a first inlet arranged in the reservoir in between the first end andthe second end, the first inlet in communication with the volume of air,and wherein in response to the air pump delivering a stream ofcompressed air to the fluid, the air in the reservoir is configured tomove into the first inlet and toward the second end of the tube.
 10. Thefogger of claim 9, wherein the tube includes a second inlet arranged inthe reservoir in between the first end and the second end, the secondinlet in communication with the volume of air, and wherein in responseto the air pump delivering the stream of compressed air to the fluid,the air in the reservoir is configured to move into the second inlet andtoward the second end of the tube.
 11. The fogger of claim 10, whereinthe tube includes a third inlet arranged in the reservoir in between thefirst end and the second end, the third inlet in communication with thevolume of air, and wherein in response to the air pump delivering thestream of compressed air to the fluid, the air in the reservoir isconfigured to move into the third inlet and toward the second end of thetube.
 12. The fogger of claim 11, further comprising a sleeve moveablealong the tube within the reservoir between a first position, in whichthe sleeve does not restrict access to any of the first, second andthird inlets, such that the first, second and third inlets are in fluidcommunication with the air in the reservoir, a second position, in whichthe sleeve restricts access to the first inlet, such that the second andthird inlets are in fluid communication with the air in the reservoirand the first inlet is not in fluid communication with the air in thereservoir, and a third position, in which the sleeve restricts access tothe first and second inlets, such that the third inlet is in fluidcommunication with the air in the reservoir and the first and secondinlets are not in fluid communication with the air in the reservoir. 13.The fogger of claim 12, further comprising a cable coupled to thesleeve, the cable configured to move the sleeve between the first,second and third positions.
 14. A fogger comprising: a blower systemincluding a fan and a blower tube having a passageway, the fanconfigured to rotate to generate an airflow through the passageway; amist system including a reservoir configured to hold a fluid, an airpump in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a tube in fluidcommunication with and extending between both the reservoir and thepassageway; and a motor configured to drive rotation of the fan andconfigured to drive a pump unit of the air pump.
 15. The fogger of claim14, further comprising a battery to power the first and second motors.16. The fogger of claim 14, further comprising a valve in fluidcommunication with the tube and in between a first end of the tube inthe reservoir and a second end of the tube in the passageway, the valveconfigured to selectively restrict a fluid flow between the first andsecond ends.
 17. The fogger of claim 14, wherein the reservoir isfurther configured to hold a volume of air above the fluid, and whereinthe tube includes a first end in the fluid in the reservoir, a secondend in the passageway, and a first inlet arranged in the reservoir inbetween the first end and the second end, the first inlet incommunication with the volume of air, and wherein in response to the airpump delivering a stream of compressed air to the fluid, the air in thereservoir is configured to move into the first inlet and toward thesecond end of the tube.
 18. The fogger of claim 17, wherein the tubeincludes a second inlet arranged in the reservoir in between the firstend and the second end, the second inlet in communication with thevolume of air, and wherein in response to the air pump delivering thestream of compressed air to the fluid, the air in the reservoir isconfigured to move into the second inlet and toward the second end ofthe tube.
 19. The fogger of claim 18, wherein the tube includes a thirdinlet arranged in the reservoir in between the first end and the secondend, the third inlet in communication with the volume of air, andwherein in response to the air pump delivering the stream of compressedair to the fluid, the air in the reservoir is configured to move intothe third inlet and toward the second end of the tube.
 20. The fogger ofclaim 19, further comprising a sleeve moveable along the tube within thereservoir between a first position, in which the sleeve does notrestrict access to any of the first, second and third inlets, such thatthe first, second and third inlets are in fluid communication with theair in the reservoir, a second position, in which the sleeve restrictsaccess to the first inlet, such that the second and third inlets are influid communication with the air in the reservoir and the first inlet isnot in fluid communication with the air in the reservoir, and a thirdposition, in which the sleeve restricts access to the first and secondinlets, such that the third inlet is in fluid communication with the airin the reservoir and the first and second inlets are not in fluidcommunication with the air in the reservoir.